"It's all about the body, not the brain."

October has been known as Breast Cancer Awareness month. Lately, it's been looking more and more like Breast Awareness month. There have been slogans that sound like they were coined by a bunch of "dudes" at a frat party, Save the Tatas, Save Second Base, Rack Runners, Dr. X's Hot Pink Hotties, Rockers for Knockers, I Heart Boobies, etc.

Here is a bottle of Fat Bastard that I came across in the store yesterday.

That's right, two wine glasses placed together and formed to look like breasts.

I think the following video provides a good example of how October has become Breast Awareness month.



http://vimeo.com/28066212

P.S. I seem to have trouble linking it. If the link does not show up, please copy and paste in your browser.

More Thoughts on "The Race"

What, exactly, does awareness mean?

As I already mentioned in an earlier post, it appeared to me that the vast majority of participants in last weekends race were not breast cancer survivors. Maybe they were, but just didn't want to wear the pink survivor shirt or the gay truck driver cap. (The hat was so ugly that I just threw mine in the trash can last year).

So, if the majority of participants are family members, friends, co-workers, etc. of someone who had been diagnosed with breast cancer, then aren't these people already aware of it? Who are they bringing awareness to, themselves?

Are they hoping to bring awareness through the media? The media only takes and publishes pretty pictures.

Do they think they will raise awareness by wearing a pink blob bob wig or a pink mohawk?

Or that pink bicycles will bring about a cure?

Maybe they think that wearing pink seashells will raise awareness of the disease

One thing was certain. This definitely raised awareness.

I thought I would approach her and ask her to pose for a photo, but some guy beat me to it. Good thing he did. It made me all that more aware of the actual issue here, boobs. All I heard from his mouth was, "that's awesome. that is so awesome." And he wasn't some college kid wearing an I Heart Bobbies t-shirt, either.

I run like a hottie - Cashing In On Cancer

My God.

I awoke this morning at 5 a.m. in order to board a bus to a pink race. My mind seems to be spinning as I sit here now thinking back on what I saw. Trying to put this in some kind of order.

Here are just a couple of things I noticed.

When crammed into a small area, it would appear that there are many survivors. Not so much so when the race begins. There are thousands of people. THOUSANDS. And a handful of women wearing survivor shirts.

It had me wondering what percentage of participants were survivors.

And it had me wondering why.

Why so few?

Did they sleep in for the cure? Do they not participate in this event? Are they tired of spending $25 or $30 for a pink t-shirt and the opportunity to sit in the Survivor's Cafe? Or at worse, are there so few survivors?

My hope is that there are millions of survivors and that they just don't participate.

One thing that has always ticked me off about Breast Cancer Awareness month are the people who "support" the cure with the word "hotties" and "ta tas".

As I was thinking back on this morning, one thing led to another. I came across a team participant's profile and read this...

"Our practice is focused on both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. We are blessed to help many breast cancer patients on their journey to well-being and looking fabulous!"

"We named our team "Hotties" because it best describes our patients! Dr (who I wont name) gives them fabulous cleavage and they give us a lifetime of inspiration. I run like a hottie..."

I don't know how much more I can comment on this sexist crap.

Why I'm Not In Sales - The story of a t-shirt

There's a reason why I'm not in sales. I suck at it. My attitude about selling has basically been, if I wanted to be an actress, I would have moved to Hollywood a long time ago.

It seems like every where I look, people who've gone through cancer have found their creativity. I've been trying to find mine.

Last Christmas my husband gave me a set of crochet hooks and knitting needles. They're still in the package in my nightstand. The yarn I bought last year is still sitting in the bag in a drawer. My sewing machine? It keeps traveling around our office. I have a scarf from Target buried somewhere in my closet. My plans were to do some ribbon embroidery on it.

I have a plastic storage container in the spare bedroom with a ton of patterns, fabric and various things that I think I will one day use. For something. There's also a couple of sketch books too, somewhere in this house.

One of the things I also attempted last year was a t-shirt. I didn't know how to sell it. I posted a link to it on my personal Facebook page. Then, a day or two later, a former schoolmate of mine suddenly started pushing some "ribbon" t-shirts. I should have known better. I lost my drive after that.

I don't like being pushy.

And with the exception of my husband and my cancer, everything in my life has seemed to have been a day late and a dollar short.

So, I have something to ask of you.

Please look at my t-shirt. I know everyone has bills to pay and that we're not made of money. If you like it and are willing to spend the money, please buy one. If you like it and can't buy it, then please pass it along to someone.

But, the biggest favor I ask of you... please don't take my idea. God knows I come up with a bizzillion ideas in my head. Very rarely do I ever actually act on them.

Oh, and I plan to wear this to "the Race" this Saturday.

Thanks!

http://www.cafepress.com/thepinkbirdie

Thank You

I had come here with the intent of posting something entirely different from the title. I don't even remember what it was.

After reading the comments left on my posts I wanted to say thank you.

Thank you for commenting on it.

Thank you for following it.

Most of all, thank you for taking the time to read it.



Thank you.

Awareness On The Move

With the exception of skin cancer, breast cancer is the only visual cancer.

Imagine yourself in a crowded mall. Can you pick out someone who has lung cancer? Can you see someone with colon cancer? Do you know which shopper has pancreatic cancer?

But, you CAN see a breast cancer patient who has opted out of reconstruction.

Let me make myself clear... this is NOT a post judging a woman's choice for reconstruction or not. I chose to have reconstruction myself after a mastectomy and it failed.

This is about a power we have.

Breast cancer has become an awareness more about breasts than it has become about cancer. It's become a cash cow. Save the tatas, save the boobies, rockers for knockers, i heart boobies, save second base, etc.

We are the only cancer patients/survivors who are able and capable of taking control of this awareness.

It's not easy. We have all been molded somewhat by our breasts. It's part of our sexuality. It's a part of our being. We've all heard someone joke about how "my eyes are up here".

It's not easy for me to write this or for me to practice what I preach. But, I'm obnoxious (sometimes), and abrasive and I'm standoffish. I want to make a stink and I want to bring attention to myself but I don't like to bring attention to myself.

I just wish I could find this shirt in pink.